diff --git a/daemon.py b/daemon.py
index 3002e21c..0465c469 100644
--- a/daemon.py
+++ b/daemon.py
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ from inbox import getPersonPubKey
 from follow import getFollowingFeed
 from follow import sendFollowRequest
 from follow import unfollowPerson
+from follow import createInitialLastSeen
 from auth import authorize
 from auth import createPassword
 from auth import createBasicAuthHeader
@@ -13261,6 +13262,8 @@ def runDaemon(dormantMonths: int,
     httpd.iconsCache = {}
     httpd.fontsCache = {}
 
+    createInitialLastSeen(baseDir, httpPrefix)
+
     print('Creating inbox queue')
     httpd.thrInboxQueue = \
         threadWithTrace(target=runInboxQueue,
diff --git a/follow.py b/follow.py
index 9403f92e..53349f05 100644
--- a/follow.py
+++ b/follow.py
@@ -27,6 +27,42 @@ from auth import createBasicAuthHeader
 from session import postJson
 
 
+def createInitialLastSeen(baseDir: str, httpPrefix: str) -> None:
+    """Creates initial lastseen files for all follows
+    """
+    for subdir, dirs, files in os.walk(baseDir + '/accounts'):
+        for acct in dirs:
+            if '@' not in acct:
+                continue
+            if 'inbox@' in acct or 'news@' in acct:
+                continue
+            accountDir = os.path.join(baseDir + '/accounts', acct)
+            followingFilename = accountDir + '/following.txt'
+            if not os.path.isfile(followingFilename):
+                continue
+            lastSeenDir = accountDir + '/lastseen'
+            if not os.path.isdir(lastSeenDir):
+                os.mkdir(lastSeenDir)
+            with open(followingFilename, 'r') as fp:
+                followingHandles = fp.readlines()
+                for handle in followingHandles:
+                    if '#' in handle:
+                        continue
+                    if '@' not in handle:
+                        continue
+                    nickname = handle.split('@')[0]
+                    domain = handle.split('@')[1]
+                    actor = \
+                        httpPrefix + '://' + \
+                        nickname + '@' + domain + '/users/' + nickname
+                    lastSeenFilename = \
+                        lastSeenDir + '/' + actor.replace('/', '#') + '.txt'
+                    if not os.path.isfile(lastSeenFilename):
+                        with open(lastSeenFilename, 'w+') as fp:
+                            fp.write(str(0))
+        break
+
+
 def preApprovedFollower(baseDir: str,
                         nickname: str, domain: str,
                         approveHandle: str,